want to revert back to default in inkscape

On 2013-05-29 22:26 +0100, Robert Duncan wrote:
> I am wondering how to restore the defaults.I've tried
> uninstall-reinstall and "file>new" but the same handles,fill.etc.
> keep appearing.Is there a way to permanently return to the original
> operatives in the program.

Summary:

To reset the settings of Inkscape to default values:
1) quit Inkscape
2) rename or delete the preferences file
3) restart Inkscape
-> the preferences file will be recreated with default settings.

Details:

Reinstalling Inkscape will not reset the user's program settings aka
preferences (nor should it): such settings (like the last used style, or
the drawing modes and shape for the pen tool) are stored in the
preferences file, to be remembered between sessions, and will still be
in effect after reinstalling Inkscape.

The preferences can be reset easily by removing or renaming the file
'preferences.xml' when Inkscape is not running (unfortunately there is
no option to do this from within Inkscape yet). Next time Inkscape is
launched, it will create a new preferences file with default settings.

The location of the file 'preferences.xml' storing the current user's
settings for Inkscape depends on the OS:

On Windows, the file is located in "%APPDATA%\inkscape" (copy&paste this
without quotes into the address bar of the Explorer, and it will resolve
the variable "%APPDATA%" according to your local system configuration &
Windows version).

Alternatively, you can also look up what %APPDATA% expands to e.g. here:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_variable#Microsoft_Windows>
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Folders#File_system_directories>

The default full path to the Application Data directory of the logged-in
user:
- Windows XP:
  C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data
- Windows Vista / 7:
  C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming

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See also:
<http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2037#goto-delpref>